VP Kalonzo kicks off campaign for 2012 presidency

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said October 11, 2010 that he has started campaigns for the presidency ahead of the 2012 elections. FILE

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said on Tuesday he has started campaigns for the presidency ahead of the 2012 elections.

He said that he needed to go round the country canvassing for votes and time was limited.

"There is no other time for politics, it is now. I will not have enough time to campaign all over in future and this is the time I am doing so”, he said after laying the foundation of a laboratory at Friends School, Naitiri in Bungoma county.

Mr Musyoka was reacting to calls by area councillors that he makes a political tour of the region.

The civic leaders said that the VP came to Kenya's rescue during the post-election violence by agreeing to join President Kibaki's government. They pledged to support him for the top seat in 2012.

On his part, Mr Musyoka criticised leaders who were focusing on tribal arithmetic to ascend to power.

The VP urged residents of Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia counties not to be swayed into backing one of their own but make independent choices.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula, Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, Saboti legislator Eugene Wamalwa and Bifwoli Wakoli (Bumula) are among Western province leaders said to be interested in the top seat.

He asked voters to elect people of integrity to steer the country forward in line with the new Constitution.

“Dr Eseli (Simiyu Kimilili MP) has been appointed to the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee despite the process being competitive because he is learned”, he said.

Mr Musyoka will seek to succeed President Kibaki as the country's next chief executive but is expected to face stiff opposition from , among others, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and his Higher Education counterpart William Ruto.

Also expected to throw their hats in the ring are: Internal Security minister George Saitoti and Narc-Kenya chairperson Martha Karua.